Carbon assembling apparatus



Sept. 25, 1934. F. WORKMAN CARBON ASSEMBLING APPARATUS 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Nov. 4, 1931 Sept. 25, 1934. I F. L. WORKMAN 1,974,941

CARBON AS SEMBLING APPARATUS Filed Nov. 4, 1931 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 Sept. 25, 1.934.

F. L. WOR KMAN CARBON ASSEMBLING APPARATUS Filed Nov. 4, 1931 4 Sheets-Sheet 3 p 1934- F. WORKMAN CARBON AS SEMBLI NG APPARATUS Filed Nov. 4, 1931 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 ZiLUQZZ/OK' Patented Sept; 25, 1934 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE 16 Claims.

This invention relates in general to the assembly of carbons with cut or individual sheets of paper for manifolding, and has for its object broadly the provision of a device which will materially facilitate the insertion of the carbons between the cut or individual sheets of paper upon which the data or other matter is to be inscribed either by typewriting or otherwise.

An important object of this invention is the provision of an apparatus which may be associated with a typewriter, and while not interfering with its operation in writing, will both facilitate and expedite assembly of the rectangular paper sheets with the carbon for insertion in the typewriter carriage.

Another important object of this invention is the provision of an apparatus of this character which may be readily assembled with any typewriter of standard make or of preferred construction, and without the need of disturbance of the adjustment of theparts of the typewriter, or

interfering with any of its ordinary or usual uses.

Another important object of this invention is the provision of an assembling apparatus for out or individual sheets of paper with carbons which will render it unnecessary for the typist to touch the carbons with her hands as an incident to the assembly for the insertion or removal of the paper from the typewriter, and which will render it unnecessary for the typist to handle the carbons in adjusting them for assembly.

Another important object of this invention is the provision of an apparatus of the character described, provided with means for insuring proper position of each of the carbon sheets for assembly with the sheets of paper to be inserted in the typewriter. v

The invention contemplates the employment of continuous carbons fed from rolls and the cutting off of the forward ends of the carbons as they wear out in use, and the invention has for a further object the facilitation of this cutting operation and the automatic maintenance of proper adjustment of the carbon webs at all times.

Another important object of the invention is the provision of an apparatus of this character, the use of which is attendant by minimum soilage of the paper from the carbons. 4

Another important object of the invention is the provision of an apparatus fulfilling these and other objects which will be of simple sturdy construction and the parts of which willbe unlikely to require frequent repair, replacement, or readjustment, and which can be effectively used by a typist with minimum instructions and minimum practice.

Numerous other objects and advantages of the invention will be apparent as it is better understood from the following description, which, when so taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, illustrates a preferred embodiment thereof. g

Referring to the drawings,

Figure 1 is an end elevation of an apparatus 5 embodying my present invention, showing the same associated in operative relation with a typewriter;

Fig. 2 is a front elevation of the assembling apparatus dissociated from the typewriter;

Fig. 3 is a partial section taken substantially on the line 3-3 of Fig. 2;

Fig. 4 is a partial section taken substantially on the line 4-4 of Fig. 2;

Fig. 5 is a schematic view showing a step in the operation of assembling a number of sheets of paper with the carbons;

Fig. 6 is a view similar to Fig. 1, showing in dotted lines the final registration of the sheets with the carbons; 30

Fig. '1 is an enlarged detail showing a preferred form of cutting mechanism; and

Fig. 8 is an enlarged detail partly in section of one ofthe carbon roll locks.

A carbon assembly machine, as shown on the 5 drawings and in which the invention is embodied, comprises a framework which is mounted upon tracks arranged just rearwardly of the typewriter and preferably anchored to its legs. This frame work is connected to the laterally shifting g carriage to travel with it as the typist writes upon the machine. a

The frame work is provided with supports 0 a number of rolls of carbon, the webs of which are passed about stationary and take-up guides into guide members at the assembling station. Here the carbon webs are maintained in, separated relationship, the guide members themselves serving to enable the operator to quickly and easily arrange the cut or individual sheets of paper in the desired relation to the carbons.

After the carbon webs and single or individual sheets of paper have been interleaved or alternated the operator pulls the assembly downwardly from between the guide members until the bottom edges rest upon a registration shelf where final longitudinal and transverse alignment is easily accomplished.

Thereafter the assembled sheets and carbons are inserted in the typewriter in the usual manner. The desired typing is accomplished exactly as it would be were-the assembly apparatus not employed. The carbons, however, extend on back into the supply rolls and the sheets are removed by turning back the typewriter roll until the assembly is free of the machine when the sheets may bemerely slipped 0E of the carbons. A take-up device draws the carbons back into their original position with respect to the sheet guides at the assembly station.

The frame of the assembly apparatus comprises side uprights 11, preferably in the form of posts, and cross bracing members 12 and 13 suitably arranged and connected together. The side uprights or posts 11 are provided with forward extensions 15 at the bottom and a rod or shaft 16 is arranged through bearings 17. Rollers 18 and 19 are mounted upon the rod 16 and engage respectively tracks 21 and 22 carried upon cross ,ties 23. The track 21 is preferably of channel shape and the rollers 18 ride within the channel to prevent tipping of the apparatus when not connected to the typewriter.

Two ties 23 are provided and these are extended toward the front and perforated at 24 to fit over the bolts 25 usually provided for engagement with the feet 26 of the typewriter to anchor it to the stenographers desk.

Reference character 31 generally indicates the typewriter which may be of any usual or preferred construction, provided with the typewriter roller or platen 32 mounted in the laterally shifting carriage 33.

Two bolts or rods 34 are secured to a cross plate 35 and are in turn fastened in the posts or uprights 11 at 36. Brackets 37 are adjustably secured at 38 to the bar 35 and extend first upwardly and then forwardly into engagement with an appropriate part 39 of the shifting carriage 33, the adjustment 38 permitting arrangement of the brackets in accordance'with the construction of the particular typewriter with which the apparatus is associated.

The uprights 11 are provided with spaced pairs of carbon roll supports 41, having upwardly opening recesses 42 in which carbon roll shafts 43 may be mounted for free rotation.

In the instant embodiment of the invention five rolls 44 are illustrated on the drawings and the Each end bearing member 51 is arranged for free vertical movement between guide members 52 secured at their bottoms in a bracket 53 carried by the companion upright 11 and secured at their tops the companion bearing plate 4'7. Thus constructed and arranged it will be apparent that the whole take-up device can slide freely up between the guides 52.

Beyond the take-up device the carbon webs are arranged over top roll rods 54 serially arranged for free rotation through the upper ends of the uprights 11. From the roll rods 54 the carbon webs are led to and through a series of guide members arranged at the assembly station, these guide members being carried in a subsidiary frame.

' An arm 55 extends forwardly from each upright 11 and a pivot shaft 56 is arranged through pivoted in the shaft 56 by brackets 61.

the two arms 55 to pivotally support the subsidiary frame.

A back plate 57, preferably of sheet metal, is secured to two upright bars 58 and 59 in turn The back member 5'? constitutes the rearmost of a number of guide members or inserting leaves arranged at the assembly station, and is extended to the left well beyond the upright bar 59 and is folded back upon itself at 62 and returned to lie upon the rear face of the upright bar 59 and between the lower portion of this bar and the companion bracket 61. v

The remaining guide members or inserting leaves are indicated by reference characters 63, 64, 65, 66 and 60. These guide members or inserting leaves are arranged in spaced relation and extend out also to the left in decreasing distances from the rear to the front for a purpose to be presently more fully explained. Each consists of a looped sheet metal strip of desired width. These looped guide members are held in separated relation by spacing blocks 67 arranged between successive guide members and filler blocks 68 arranged-between the ends of the guide mem-- bers themselves. Bolts 69 disposed through the upright 58, the guide members themselves and the filler and spacing blocks hold the structure.

rigidly at the right of the apparatus.

In front to back registration with the upright bar 59, a bar 71 is arranged between the two parallel parts of each looped guide member, and these bars 71 extend up to a bolt 72, which extends through their top ends and which anchors their top ends in fixed relationship, spaced sleeves or bushings '73 being provided between successive bars '71 to maintain the bars in spaced relation at the top throughout their lengths.

At the right a bar 74 is arranged upon the front of the foremost guide or inserting member and extends up in parallelism with the upright bar 58 and at the top is clamped in fixed relation to the top of the bar 58 by a sleeve 75 and a bolt 76.

.Beyond the bars 71 and 59 the loops of the guide members are flattened as may be observed at the left of Fig. 3, this flattening increasing their distance apart to facilitate insertion of the individual sheets of paper.

A guide plate of channel form indicated by reference character 77 is fixed upon each of the bolts 72 and 76 and is provided at its top with open recesses '78 to receive freely rotatable roller rods 79 about which the carbon webs 45 are led to the guide members. The looping of the sheet metal guide members provides slots or passages 81 vertically between the parts, and the carbon webs are threaded therethrough, as may be observed in Figs. 3 and 4.

In the use of the apparatus it is intended that the carbon webs will extend on beyond the guide members substantially the length of the individ- 1 ual paper sheets, and that the sheets may be inserted in place by disposing the lower righthand corners of the sheets successively in between and in front of the guide members 63, 64, 65, 66, and 60, and thereafter moving the sheets as a group in between the carbons and down into final assembled position. v

A shelf 82, the description of which will not be undertaken at this point, extends out from the uprights 11 and provides a table upon which the lower edges of the sheets may be brought to rest to bring them into final lengthwise and transverse relation for insertion in the typewriter with the carbons.

A guide 83 extends up from the shelf 82 back of sheet registering position, and a verticalnosing 84 may be provided on the front of the shelf if desired. After the individual sheets have been assembled with the carbons, as just described, the whole assembly may be inserted as a unit in the typewriter by merely moving it over and downwardly back of the roller or platen 32 in;the usual manner.

As the typing progresses and the roller or platen is turned for .each new line of type, the

carbons are drawn through the assembly apparatus, the take-up device consisting of the roller rods 49 and the end carriers 51 is lifted. The

rolls of carbon meanwhile are held against rotation by brakes illustrated more particularly in Fig. 8.

Each roll shaft 43 extends through a square sleeve 91 which is disposed through the carbon roll, and which is provided with a disc 92 at its righthand end. A. spring leaf 93 is mounted upon a block 94 adjacent each disc 92. A pin 95 is disposed through the frame member 11 into engagement with a cam face 96 upon the end of the pivoted hand lever 97. The pin 95 is provided adjacent the disc with a friction head 98, normally engaging its disc 92 to prevent rotation of the carbon roll.

When the carbons are first positioned in the assembly apparatus the rolls are locked in place and the ends of the carbon webs brought into desired relation with the shelf 82 after being threaded through the apparatus, the. take-up device being somewhat elevated. The brakes then are all released to permit the take-up device to settle down by gravity to its lowermost position. This automatically unwinds each roll individually the desiredamount. The brakes are then applied to the rolls and they are held against rotation until the carbons, or a portion of them.

are worn out.

In the instant embodiment of the invention means are provided for cutting off the worn. carbon ends, and it will be understood that the wearing occurs near the forward ends of the carbon since these are the first to enter the typewriter, and it not infrequently happens that the wear will be greater on certain carbons than on others. The ends of all of the carbons may be cut oil simultaneously or individual carbons drawn down into the cutting device. The cutting device in the present instance exerts a preliminary clamping action upon the carbon webs during which new adjustment may be accomplished, the brakes being released to permit the take-up device to settle to its seat after the carbons have been advanced to permit the cutting off of the desired amount or amounts.

This cutting device is or may be mounted in 7 and constitute a part of the shelf 82, and to this end the shelf consists of a fixed portion 101 directly mounted upon the uprights 11, and a slide '109 may be arranged just beneath them. ,If the ends are to be cut from all of the carbon webs,

- the part 102 is pulled to the right (viewing Fig.

7) and the carbon ends drawn through. The section 102 may then be returned to engage the The part 102 pressure device 109 to clamp the carbon ends while new adjustment is accomplished by the take-up device, after'which the brakes are applied to the carbon rolls and the cutting stroke completed, returning the shelf part 102 to its normal closed relation to the shelf part 101. If

only particular carbons are to be cut ofi their ends alone may be drawn through between the previously operated shelf parts, and the procedure followed as outlined above.

If desired the take-up device may be made so light that it will not turn the carbon rolls even when free of the braking influence. This is contemplated where it is desired to throw little pull upon the typewriter carriage and the structure of my present invention permits of the adjustment by manually pushing down the take-up device while the ends are clamped in the shelf..

The subsidiary frame and the guide members at the assembly station are mounted to pivot about the pivot shaft 56 and the center of gravity is located forwardly of this pivotal axis. A stop device is provided to arrange the guide members in desired angular position with respect to the arrangement of the carbon webs from the assembly apparatus to the typewriter roll. This stop device comprises an arm 111, extending out from one of the uprights 11 to just beneath the companion arm 55. A stop 112 is adjustably carried on this arm by a pin and slot connection-113 and forms an abutment back of the lower end of the upright bar 58'.

In the use of the apparatus it is unnecessary for the typist to handle the carbon in the operation of the typewriter and in the insertion and removal of new sheets, as will be readily apparent. It is also unnecessary for her to handle them in the cutting off of worn parts. All that she need do here is to embrace the particular sheet or sheets to be cut off with a folded sheet of paper,

drawing the sheet or sheets downwardly to the,

cutter and clamping them for adjustment.

It is thought that the invention and many of its attendant advantages will be understood from the foregoing description, and it will be apparent that various changes may be made in the form,

construction and arrangement of the parts without department from the spirit and scope of the invention or sacrificing all of its material advantages, the form hereinbefore described being merely a preferred embodiment thereof.

I claim:

1. An apparatus for assembling carbons and cut sheets of paper for manifold reproduction of inscribed matter, which comprises a plurality of guide members held in relatively fixed and spaced relation at one side and separated at the other, and holding a plurality of carbons in spaced relation, and adapted to receive and guide cut sheets of paper laterally into desired relation in respect to'said carbons.

2. An apparatus for assembling carbons and cut sheets of paperfor manifold reproduction'of inscribed matter, which comprises a plurality of guide members held in relatively fixed and spaced relation at one side and separated at the other, and holding a plurality of carbons in spaced relation, and adapted to receive and guide out sheets of paper into desiredrelation in respect to said carbons, the ends of said guide members extending progressively increasing distances to facilitate insertion of the sheets of paper;

3. An apparatus for assembling carbons and cut sheets of paper for manifold reproduction of inscribed matter, which comprises a plurality of of guide membe guide members held in relatively fixed and spaced relation at one side and separated at the other, and holding a plurality of carbons in spaced relation, and adapted to receive and guide cut sheets of paper laterally into desired relation in respect to said carbons, said guides maintaining said carbons out of contact with said sheets of paper during assembly.

. 4. An apparatus for assembling carbons and cut sheets of paper for manifold reproduction ofinscribed matter, which comprises a plurality of guide members held in relatively fixed and spacedrelation at one side and separated at the other, and holding a plurality of carbons in spaced relation, and adapted to receive and guide out sheets of paper laterally into desired relation in respect to said carbons, said guide members being individually provided with slots through which said carbons are arrangeable out of contact with said sheets of paper.

5. An apparatus for assembling carbons and cut sheets of paper for manifold reproduction of inscribed matter, comprising a frame, a plurality of guide members for holding carbons in position for assembly with a plurality of cut sheets of paper and for guiding said cut sheets of paper laterally into assembled relation with said carbons, and means returning said carbons to assembly position after a manifolding operation.

6. An apparatus for assembling carbons and cut sheets of paper for manifold reproduction of inscribed matter, comprising a frame, a plurality-of carbon supports carried by said frame, a

plurality of guide members holding a plurality of lengthwise reciprocation, and a device for automatically arranging said carbons in lengthwise adjustment for assembly with cut sheets of'paper.

8. An apparatus for assembling carbons and cut sheets of paper for manifold reproduction of inscribed matter, comprising a frame havingsupports for a plurality of rolls of carbon, a plurality of guide members carried by said frame and throughwhich said carbons are arranged for lengthwise reciprocation, and a device for automatically arranging said carbons in lengthwise adjustment for assembly with cut sheets of paper, said guide members also maintaining said out sheets in lateral adjustment.

9. An apparatus for assembling carbons, and cut sheets of paper for manifold reproduction of inscribed matter, comprising a frame having supports for a plura 'ty of rolls of carbon, a plurality carried by said frame and through which said carbons are arranged for lengthwisereciprocation, means for cutting used portions from said carbons, and a device for automatically arranging said carbons in lengthwise adjustment for assembly with cutsheets of pape aftereach cutting operation.

10. An apparatus for assembling carbons and cut sheets of paper for manifold reproduction of inscribed matter, comprising a frame, a plurality of carbon roll supports mounted in said frame, a plurality of guide members through which continuous carbons are adapted to be arranged in spaced relation, said guide members being adapted to guide sheets of paper into assembled relation with said carbons, and a registering device engageable by the ends of said out sheets of paper and carbons to facilitate final registration in assembled relation.-

11. An apparatus for assembling carbons and cut sheets of paper for manifold reproduction of inscribed matter, comprising a frame, supports for a plurality of rolls of carbon in said frame, guide members for guiding carbon webs from said rolls of carbon and adapted to facilitate assembly with cut sheets of paper, a take-up device for returning the carbons to predetermined assembly positions, and a clamping device for engaging said carbons to facilitate adjustment of the carbon webs from the rolls into desired'predetermined relative relationship.

12. An apparatus for assembling carbons and cut sheets of paper for manifold reproduction of inscribed matter, comprising a frame, a plurality of carbon roll supports mounted in said frame, guide members'between which carbons from said rolls mounted on said supports may be arranged for assembly with cut sheets of paper, and a take-up engaging said carbons for returning the ends of said carbons into predetermined desired relation with said guide members after cut sheets of paper assembled therewith have received the inscribed matter.

13. An apparatus for assembling carbons and cut sheets of paper for manifold reproduction of inscribed matter, comprising a frame, a plurality of carbon roll supports mounted in said frame,

guide members between which carbons and rolls mounted on said supports may be arranged for assembly with cut sheets of paper, a take-up engaging said carbons for returning the ends of said carbons into predetermined desired relation with said guide members after cut sheets of paper assembled therewith have received the inscribed matter, and releasablelocks for the carbon rolls to permit the take-up to arrange the continuous webs of carbon in adjusted relation when the ends of said carbons are placed in registration.

14. An apparatus for assembling carbons and cut sheets of paper for manifold reproduction of inscribed matter, comprising in combination a track arrangeable in predetermined relation to a typewriter, a frame carried by said track, means for connecting said frame to the laterally shiftable carriage of the typewriter, a plurality of carbon roll supports carried in the frame, and guide members adapted to hold the carbon webs from rolls of carbons carried in said supports in predetermined relation and to guide the cut sheets of paper into assembled relation with said carbons, said guide members permitting forward feeding of the carbons as the assembled cut sheets and carbons are fedforward in the line advance of the typewriter. v

15. An apparatus for assembling carbons and cut sheets of paper for manifold reproduction of inscribed matter, comprising in combination a sheets of paper into assembled relation with said carbons, said guide members permitting forward feeding of the carbons as the assembled cut sheets and carbons are fed forward in the line advance of the typewriter and to permit return movement of said carbons when the assembled cut sheets and carbons are removed from the typewriter by reverse movement of the typewriter roll. 1 V

16. An apparatus for assembling carbons and cut sheets of paper formanifold reproduction of inscribed matter, "comprising in combination a track arrangeable in predetermined relation to a typewriter, a frame carried by said track, means for connecting said frame to the lateral shiftable carriage of the typewriter, a plurality of carbon roll supports carried in the frame, and guide members adapted to hold the carbon webs from rolls of carbons carried in said supports in predetermined relation and to guide the cut sheets of paper into assembled relation with said car- I 

